Europe’s top leagues threaten legal action over Qatar 2022 World Cup winter dates

Barcelona // Europe’s top leagues could launch legal action against Fifa for the sporting and economic damage caused by moving the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, according to French league president Frederic Thiriez.

At a meeting in Barcelona yesterday, the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) adopted a resolution condemning the decision to move the competition from its traditional date in June and July to November and December to avoid the searing heat in the Middle East.

“The EPFL is ready to support any legal actions that the individual leagues may take in this respect in the near future,” Thiriez said.

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“The EPFL is very disappointed with the decision of the Fifa ExCo, who decided to move the World Cup to November and December in 2022.

“This is seriously damaging to the European leagues both from a sporting and a financial point of view.

“This decision raises serious questions about the motivations of many involved in the decision-making process and further demonstrated the lack of good governance within the national football governing bodies.”

Fifa announced on Friday that it would triple the amount paid to clubs who release their players for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to US$209 million (Dh767.7m).

However, Thiriez said that the EPFL had to look out for the interests of all clubs, with the vast majority of the compensation promised going to the top clubs in a few leagues.

“The EPFL has the responsibility to protect the interests of all clubs, including those that do not release players for the national associations competitions. Today, the interests of those clubs are not protected.”